The best teacher of medicine I ever had was during my medical residency. He was a tough old-school physician, trained at one of the premier institutions in the country, and specialised in pulmonology and intensive care.

Before I had even rotated through the ICU, I had seen him around on the medical floors — and must admit I didn’t like him very much at first.

He seemed extremely serious, not particularly friendly to any staff around him, and was very strict about what was happening with any of his patients — always wanting things done in a certain way. He wasn’t overtly rude, just not a ‘warm and fuzzy type’ in any shape or form.

A co-resident told me that he was a great physician, and despite any lack in social skills, was “the doctor I would always want caring for any sick relative of mine”.